AC Drives include features for improved plant safety.

Press Release Summary:



Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 70 AC drives incorporate DriveGuard safety solution that utilize Safe Off function. This helps end users worldwide meet safety standards for functional safety, or Zone Concept, by preventing drives from delivering rotational energy to motors. Offered in NEMA 1, NEMA 4X, and Flange enclosure types, drives are available with ratings of 30 hp at 480 V, 20 hp at 600 V, and 10 hp at 200/240 V.



Original Press Release:



Rockwell Automation Launches New Safety Features and Horsepower Ratings for Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 70 AC Drives



New features help improve plant safety and widen application possibilities

MEQUON, Wis., March 15, 2004 - To help manufacturers increase safety on the plant floor and greatly expand their application flexibility, Rockwell Automation has introduced new safety features and horsepower ratings for its Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 70 line of AC drives.

Named DriveGuard, the new series of safety solutions incorporates a "Safe Off" function, which helps end users worldwide meet more exacting safety standards, known as functional safety, or the Zone Concept. This concept promotes and regulates safe production areas and allows a portion of the production line to slow or stop for troubleshooting, while the rest of the line remains active. Safe Off, the first offering available within the DriveGuard series, helps to prevent a drive from delivering rotational energy to motors by integrating an optional safety board with the power switching signals.

The Zone Concept is reflected in European safety standard EN954 Category 3, which describes several functional safety categories that identify required safety levels and the basic principles required to achieve optimum safety. While no direct equivalent of EN954 currently exists in the United States, the Safe Off feature allows OEMs to build machines that comply with European safety standards while helping to increase safety for U.S. manufacturers. "Built-in drive safety features are part of an ongoing effort at Rockwell Automation to integrate multiple global standards so our products, and our customers' products, can be sold throughout the world," said Bill Sinner, product manager for Rockwell Automation.

Increased Horsepower Ratings Expand Application Use. In addition to new safety features for the PowerFlex 70, Rockwell Automation also announces horsepower ratings up to 30 hp at 480V, giving users broader application versatility. The drive is also available in ratings of 20 hp at 600V and 10 hp at 200/240V, and in NEMA 1, NEMA 4X, and Flange enclosure types.

Rockwell Automation (NYSE: ROK) is a world-leading provider of industrial automation power, control and information solutions that help customers meet their manufacturing productivity objectives. The company brings together leading brands in industrial automation for Complete Automation solutions, including Allen-Bradley controls and engineered services and Rockwell Software factory management software, Dodge mechanical power transmission products, and Reliance Electric motors and drives. The company also is a leading provider of contact management technologies and applications that help companies more efficiently manage interaction with their own customers. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wis., USA, the company employs about 22,000 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.

For more information on the PowerFlex 70, please contact the Rockwell Automation Response Center, 10701 Hampshire Avenue South, Bloomington, Minn., 55438, 800.223.5354, Ext. 1693 or visit http://www.ab.com/drives.

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